Notebook #1 3
Formulas
Grid Ratio = h/D h= lead strip height D= interspace width
-Influence on ability of improving contrast
Sample: If lead strips are 3mm high and are separated by an interspace of
0.25mm, what is the grid ratio? 3.0/0.25 = grid ratio= 12:1
Grid Frequency = 1/T+D t= thickness of lead strips D= distance
between lead strips
-Number of lead strips per inch or cm
Grid Conversion Factor (GCF) = mAs with the grid/mAs without grid
-The amount of mAs needed for a grid
A chest radiograph is produced using 5 mAs at 85 kVp without a grid. A 2nd
image uses a 12:1 grid. What mAs is needed to produce a 2nd image?
5.5 = X/5mAs x=5.5 x 5mAs = 27.5 mAs
mAs1/mAs2 = GCF1/GCF2
mAs1 = original mAs mAs2 = new mAs GCF1 = original grid conversion
factor
GCF2 = new grid conversion factor
-When converting from one grid ratio to another
An abdominal x-ray uses an 8:1 grid, 35 mAs, and 85 kVp. 2nd image uses
12:1 grid. What mAs is needed to produce 2nd image? 35/x = 4/5.5
4x=192.5 x= 48 mAs
Modulation Transfer Function= Recorded Detail (Resolution)/Available
Detail (Resolution)
-Provides best measurement of resolving ability of film/screen combination.
It measures the info lost between the subject and the image receptor.
Notebook #1 4
Determined by amount of light diffusion that occurs between the screens and
the film. It is controlled by the chemical composition of the screen, phosphor
size, thickness of the phosphor layer, absorbing dye, and by film/screen
contact. The perfect MTF is 1.0
15% Rule:
-For when the radiographer uses kilovoltage to adjust and compensate for
density/IR exposure changes. It is used to maintain the same IR
exposure/density when kilovoltage changes. A 15% increase in kilovoltage
causes a doubling of exposure to the IR.
An elbow x-ray is produced using 4 mAs at 60 kVp. What kVp would be
needed to halve the exposure of the IR?
60 kVp (60 kVp x 15%)
60 kVp (60 kVp x 0.15)
60 kVp (9 kVp) = 51 kVp
Inverse Square Law - Distance (SID and OID)
I1/I2 = D22/D12 I1 = old intensity I2 = new intensity D12 = old distance
2
squared D2 = new distance squared
-The intensity (exposure) varies inversely with the square of the distance.
The law expresses the change in intensity when the distance changes.
Exposure Maintenance Formula:
mAs1/mAs2 = D12/ D22 mAs1 = Original mAs mAs2 = new mAs
2 2
D1 = old distance squared D2 = new distance squared
-Similar to inverse square law, but reversed. Mas must increase when
distance increases in order to maintain IR exposure
If exposure is obtained with 20 mAs at 72, what mAs will be required to
maintain same exposure at 40?
20 mAs/ mAs2 = 722/ 402
20 mAs x 1600/ 5184
mAs2 = 20 mAs x 1600 / 5184
mAs2 = 6.2 mAs
Focal Spot Size/ Penumbra: P= Focal Spot Size X OID/ SOD
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-Controlled by line focus principle. The width of the penumbra (unsharpness)
is used in this formula
Calculate penumbra for image with 1.0mm focal spot at 40 distance and
3OID
SOD = 40 3 = 37 P = 1.0 x 3 /37 = 3/37 = 0.08mm
Magnification Factor: M = Image Size/Object Size= SID/SOD
Image Size= Object Size x SID/ SOD
Object Size = Image Size x SOD/ SID
-Formula is used for magnification or size distortion.
If SID is 40 and SOD is 30, what is magnification factor?
M = 40/30 = 100 cm/73cm M= 1.33 Magnification will be 33% or image
will be 133% of object size
Minification Gain= input screen diameter2/output screen diameter2
-Occurs as a result of same number of electrons that were produced at large
input screen being compressed into area of small output screen
What is minification gain for image intesnsification tube with input screen
diameter of 6 and output diameter of 1?
62/12 = 36/1 = 36
Flux Gain:
-Measurement of increase in light photons due to conversion efficiency of
output screen
Total Brightness Gain = minification gain x flux gain
What is total brightness gain for image intensification tube with minification
gain of 36 and flux gain of 60?
36 x 60 = 2160
